Category Archives: French food

I don’t like the taste of cake mix. There’s something metallic about it that spoils the flavor for me. Plus, how much time does it actually save to use a mix, given that you have to add liquid, egg, and … Continue reading →

I attended the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco last week. For those of you who have never heard of it, this is a trade show for people who make or import specialty food stuffs to peddle their wares to … Continue reading →

We are spoiled rotten when it comes to bread around here. I can afford to refuse to eat anyone’s baguette but the Cheeseboard’s (all crust!), insist on Acme’s whole wheat loaf for sandwiches (s0 sweet, so dense), and prefer Semifreddi’s … Continue reading →

The weather turns cold and a young girl’s fancy turns to gratin. Even the cat “occupies” his own bed in this weather, showing solidarity or simply hogging the heater? Theories can be found here. But back to the gratin. I … Continue reading →

Here are some of the miraculous things you can make with what we call “puff pastry” and the French call feuilletée — or leaves or layers of pastry — which frankly is a lot more similar to what this pastry … Continue reading →

Before Chez Panisse, when I was a little girl, there were places in our North Berkeley neighborhood such as Lenny the Butcher (see my last post), Pig-by-the-Tail Charcuterie, which sold the most amazing cookies (in addition to the French-style cold … Continue reading →

How lovely is this? Mendocino Coast in the mist. I’m not going to get in the habit of photographing food that I haven’t prepared myself, but I had to make an exception for our Boxing Day dinner at La Petite … Continue reading →